Timeout for decency

Lots of folks have gotten served by LeBron James across the years, and a whole pile of them are getting served so far this season, with LeBron 'n' A.D. and the rest of the Lakers off to a 20-3 start that was widely predicted by, OK, not the Blob.

But it's taking it to another level when LeBron even serves the server.

Here is that moment from last night's blitzing of the Trail Blazers, in which LeBron, after dropping a three-ball, accidentally backs into a courtside server and knocks her down. Watch him make her night by turning back, helping to her feet and walking her upcourt with his arm around her to make sure she's OK.

Sometimes it's the smallest of gestures that reveal the character of a man. And so what we got here in those brief moments was the LeBron who sent 800 cupcakes to his neighbors when the media swarm disrupted their lives as he moved into his new house when he came back to Cleveland. It's the LeBron who came back to Cleveland, period, and whose foundation kicked in a couple of million dollars to resuscitate a struggling public school in his hometown of Akron.

We can argue all day about whether or not (gasp!) he wields too much power as a basketball player/business tycoon, and if he's been too ruthless in pursuing his own interests. But ultimately, in a nation where ruthlessly pursuing one's interests is pretty much the national pastime, all of that makes LeBron James no different than a gazillion other individuals of power and wealth -- individuals who somehow elude the criticism he gets.

So what matters is not that. What matters are moments like this one last night, in which LeBron once again shows there is a core of plain common decency beneath all the wealth, and power, and the points, assists and rebounds.

Everything else is stuff and nonsense. White noise, in a world increasingly crowded with it.